New York somehow has a reputation for feeling lonely despite a population of over 8 million.
It’s an epidemic, in many ways. Often, 20-somethings doomscroll TikTok to the sights of people being social and happy, which only reinforces their lonely feelings that may not even be grounded in reality.
But a new crop of residents having trouble making friends are taking action with tech’s help. Millennial and Gen Z newbies are turning to apps, in the hopes of befriending fellow lonely souls. It’s a largely post-pandemic phenomenon, but one that has bred results.
Bumble For Friends is easily the most popular. Made by the dating app’s creators, this version is intended for platonic connections, and it’s picked up steam among New York women. The offshoot of the well-known dating app launched this summer.
“Friendship has always been a critical part of Bumble’s goal to living a healthy and happy life. With feelings of loneliness and isolation at an all-time high, now more than ever is a time to prioritize self-love and friendships for our well being. Having a dedicated Bumble For Friends app that’s separate from the dating experience makes friendship-finding easier for people looking to make meaningful platonic connections in their area,” said Whitney Wolfe Herd, Bumble’s founder and CEO, aboutthe new venture.
Then, there’s social media. 31-year-old Laura Mahachek founded NYC Social Girls Club, a 1,300-member strong Facebook group for the city’s equally lonely ladies to meet up for dinner, workouts, and other social outings.
Ellie Ballin, who recently moved to New York from Miami, told the New York Post that she’s “definitely using the internet to my advantage to meet people.” She added that it’s easier to “tell when you’re going to mesh with somebody” by looking at their profile.
